My Dad drove a Vauxhall Carlton estate for many years. It was a great tow car, had a cavernous load bay and he loved it. I did too, but secretly wished he had gone for a Viceroy, (his name was Roy….) Senator or even the Royale – all available with a 3L V6 rather than the 1.8 4 pot – ideally in a metallic colour that wasn’t the dark brown that we had. I didn’t drive it much, but the engine was smoothly free-revving and taut (Germanic?) damping gave excellent stability. Happy days, despite the colour.
I’ve just been to Melbourne, Australia to visit family. A wonderful time, enhanced by the regular V6 and V8 rumbles to be heard emanating from often mundane looking vehicles. It led to me purchasing a copy of ‘Unique Cars’ magazine in the airport for the (long) journey home. Horsepower by cubic capacity is still a thing. Yes, lots of hybrid and electric vehicles could be admired, but explaining the sound of a V8 to my smiling 3-year-old grandson (who obviously ‘got it’, even if the firing order being explained by drumming paradiddles was a bit beyond him) will stay with me for ever.
Walking to the shops, I spotted the beauty in the photo. Looks like a Carlton/Viceroy I thought – so must be Commodore of the Holden variety? Fabulous late 70’s ‘aero’ alloy wheels, boot (trunk?) lid spoiler and even two-tone paint. Wow. But it was the lowered ride height that most impressed. I’ve sold a number of suspension kits to clients in Australia, but lowering springs are usually off the menu. Back roads are too rough evidently for lowered suspension. Well, this owner clearly thinks otherwise. Or is it just maturing downwards with age….? I was disappointed not to hear it fire up. What was under the bonnet (hood)? Hopefully, many cylinders with suitably large swept volumes.
Having looked again at my photo, I’m wondering whether this was actually a Toyota Lexcen – evidently a model (badge) engineering alliance between Toyota and Holden in Australia. Having initially decided it was a ‘Vauxhall’ and thought of my Dad, then being wowed by the sporty styling stuff, I never thought to look for a badge. What is in a brand anyway?
Lowering a car can be done with an eye on the engineering quality. It can also be brand savvy. Try our Eibach springs with a VHS touch – available for internal combustion and electric vehicles.